The easiest way to get around Disney World is (finally) returning this month
What's red, white and polka-dotted, and rolls all over Walt Disney World as the easiest way to get around the more than 25,000-acre property? Minnie Vans.
These handy and adorable cars — which some feared to be extinct — have returned more than two years after the Walt Disney World theme parks closed in March 2020.
Minnie Vans first rolled into Disney in 2017 as the most stylish and convenient way to get around the parks. Now they will be rolling back into service on June 29.
There's a lot more to love about the Minnie Van service than looking cool when you pull up to your destination. Minnie Vans are private cars (no more rubbing shoulders with sweaty strangers on the monorail) that seat up to six guests. Each van comes equipped with two complimentary child car seats; accessible vans are also available.
A Minnie Van's point-to-point service also means you'll get dropped off even closer to the magic than you would if you drove your own car or used a different ride-sharing service.
This comes in most handy when you're heading to or from Magic Kingdom.
Normally, you would arrive at the Transportation and Ticket Center and then take a boat or monorail to Magic Kingdom's front entrance. However, with Minnie Van service, you can exit at the Magic Kingdom resort bus stop just in front of the park's entrance (and skip the TTC altogether).
There are some situations when Minnie Vans are more helpful than others.
For example, TPG's director of travel content, Summer Hull, has saved a lot of time and internal resort bus transfers by using Minnie Vans. The vans pick Summer and her family up directly in front of their Fort Wilderness cabin and escort them to the parks in time for rope drop. This route would otherwise require waiting for not one but two buses.
Minnie Van service will be available daily between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. The vans service all Walt Disney World resort hotels, water parks and theme parks. They also serve Disney Springs and other select hotels such as the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels and the Four Seasons Resort.
Related: 6 things to know about Disney World's Minnie Vans
Prior to the pandemic, Minnie Vans could also transport travelers between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Disney. For now, though, Disney has not announced if or when that service route will return.
Booking a Minnie Van is simple: It's available as an option within the ride-hailing app Lyft. If you don't already have the Lyft app, download it and sign up for an account prior to your visit. When you are ready to ride, open the app and choose your Disney destination.
Related: Quick Points: Triple stack these offers to maximize your next Lyft ride
You should see Minnie Van as an option when choosing your vehicle (this is also where you can select an accessible Minnie Van). Pricing, which varies by route just as with any other Lyft ride, tends to be higher than the standard Lyft options. However, rides are chauffeured by Disney cast members who know their way around the park and can help with Disney-related questions or issues.
Additionally, Minnie Vans can sometimes go where traditional car services and taxi vehicles can't. So, when you need the utmost in Disney transportation convenience, fire up that Lyft app and request a cute polka-dotted vehicle to come whisk you away.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.